A Chance To Dress

A Chance To Dress

76 year old Professor Emeritus John Southard recently came out to his family, friends and M.I.T colleagues as a cross-dresser after nearly 40 years of easy collegiality. His exuberant outing is reflected, in part, by his efforts to reach out as an educator and counselor to other closeted students and faculty. His consuming desire is to be finally accepted as a full person in the Geology department as well as in society. A Chance To Dress explores the many dimensions of identity and the diversity of gender expression, and gives voice to a misunderstood group within the transgender community. Dr. Southard’s journey weaves a story that intersects gender presentation, acceptance, the immutability of established institutions and the ultimate affirmation of the human spirit.

Producer/Director: Alice Dungan Bouvrie

Editor: Bernice Schneider

Composer: Claus Nystrom

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This program is supported in part by a grant from the Arlington Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. And funded in part by a grant from The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence of San Francisco.